I just bought my first bike a week and a half ago, an 82 gl1100i with 35,000 miles. Long story short it tipped over in the parking lot because it stands up too straight (the shocks have never been done) and the engine guard with some help from a highway peg punched an inch hole in my valve cover and dumped about 3 quarts of oil on the ground. The guy I bought it from said that he had to replace a head gasket so I'm wondering if he didn't tighten the engine guard mounts enough after the repairs or if I should just take the highway pegs off when the new valve cover gets here and expect that the engine guards aren't going to guard much. Has anyone else had similar issues with the engine guards on their wing?

Pegs with a big attaching knuckle do that..you need a peg with a smooth, round compression system. They won't punch a hole in the valve clover as easily. Yes, the crash bars will bend back if the bike falls on it's side with any force and forward motion especially..680 lbs. crashing down////

Mine came pre-bent Replaced them since then and bike has been over 2 times. Not a scratch on the guards or the bike. Seems like a good design especially with the bike not being too far over on its side. I've seen holes punched in valve covers. Like mentioned the peg had a clamp knuckle and just swiveled around enough to damage the valve cover.

That's exactly what happened, the knuckle swung around and punctured it . The funny thing is the guy that I bought it from told me that he put the pegs on but didn't tighten them and since my legs don't fit on the highway pegs I figured it would be best just to take them off this week. I had to get the tools out to either tighten them or remove them and they don't work for me so I was a couple of days away from preventing this. Oh well, too late I guess

The OEM engine guards are quite thick. I had to replace one and noticed a HUGE difference in weight.
Looking at the tube I noticed the replacement tube was quite thin. Now I got to find a way to bolster it up or find a thick tube one.

"OIL CHANGE?" _FM 07-2009
Know its new taste and be loyal, you'll know when to change that oil.
Taste testing as the miles flow, souring as that acid grows.
And don't flirt with dirt or darkened oil, all the faster your engine will spoil.

craigplafferty wrote:I think that mine must be aftermarket. I can get them to move quite a bit just by pulling on them. Where did you find yours?

.. .. IF you're asking me, I had to find something quick & cheap, Ebay.
I have the 1500. Engine guards are engine guards, just different shapes.

Mine don't move, your mounting bolts tight? If so, check the welds to the tube. Tap with a hammer for a dull ring.

I have a peg mounted on it with a set screw through the tube so it don't move. I'll push on it quite hard while riding to shift my weight, of course knowing at any time it might give way, I'm ready for that.

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"OIL CHANGE?" _FM 07-2009
Know its new taste and be loyal, you'll know when to change that oil.
Taste testing as the miles flow, souring as that acid grows.
And don't flirt with dirt or darkened oil, all the faster your engine will spoil.

I bought my 1500 wing a couple of years back, and noticed the right guard had been bent in, but no scratches to indicate a moving crash.
Since I don't use the highway pads, I decided to remove them, and straightened out my guard at the same time. Now all is tight and right.

"OIL CHANGE?" _FM 07-2009
Know its new taste and be loyal, you'll know when to change that oil.
Taste testing as the miles flow, souring as that acid grows.
And don't flirt with dirt or darkened oil, all the faster your engine will spoil.

I lay my 1800 over to change the rear tire regularly (I have a spare wheel&tire for use while the shop changes the tire). Plus I've had a few tip overs @ 0 mph. Lightly scratched, but otherwise no bend to front or rear.

Last summer while on my Trans-Labrador trip I dumped the bike at low speed on a dirt road because of my own stupidity. The engine guard did it's job by absorbing the impact and bending inward, there was no other damage to the bike but my Unigo trailer suffered a bit of road rash. There were a couple of cracks at the joints of the engine guard so I replaced it when I got home.